The program, developed by Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic and Temple College, is offered to Scott & White employees. At the completion of the course students will take a certification exam.
Ms. Manning, a nine-year employee at Scott & White, views the program as an opportunity to increase her skills and the ability to provide better care. Also, as a single mother, the increase in salary is appealing.
The first class, made up of 18 students, began in October and will take 10 months to complete.
Classes are held online with the students meeting one Saturday a month at Temple College for live skill training, said Dr. Lee Ogburn-Russell, associate vice president for health professions at Temple College. There will be a two-week practicum at the end of the class, during which the students will work in a clinic setting performing the learned tasks.
The online aspect of the program was initially a little disconcerting to some of the students, so they were required to introduce themselves online to their fellow classmates and respond to two, said Nancy Eaton, Temple College nurse instructor and lead teacher for the medical assistants program.
``It was neat to read the encouraging words the students had for each other . . . `I'm in the same boat,' `I can do this and so can you,''' she said. ``For the most part everybody was very positive and excited.''
For this type of class it is pretty unusual to have an online component, with TC charting some new territory, Ogburn-Russell said.
By offering much of the instruction online, it's possible for students to continue to hold down full-time jobs.
``We wanted to provide Scott & White employees a way to progress in their careers in the medical field and develop a role that would meet the needs of the physicians and patients,'' said Catherine Thwing, associate executive director and chief nurse officer at Scott & White. ``Most of the students are wanting to learn new skills and offer a higher level of care.''Medical assistants get the patient into the exam room and assist the physicians with procedures and tests, Ms. Eaton said. Medical assistants can draw blood, give certain injections, perform EKGs, and take vital signs and patient histories.
The students hold a variety of jobs at Scott & White, Ms. Thwing said. Some work in the hospital, some in the clinics or at the health plan.
Ms. Eaton, who previously worked in OB/GYN at Scott & White, wanted to offer this type of training for her employees, but there wasn't the time or support to get it off the ground then. In January, she moved to TC and was asked to help develop the program.
The students will learn the basics of anatomy and physiology, Ms. Eaton said.
``So they understand when they are giving a shot why they are giving it and where they're giving it,'' she said.
Students will learn medical terminology.
Ms. Manning said she is learning how to break down parts of the words in medical terminology and learning the meaning of the various parts.
``It's interesting learning the origin of the word and how it relates to a specific disease,'' she said.
It is expected that some of the students in the medical assistants program will want to continue education, possibly pursuing nursing degrees.
It's taking people who have a high school education and getting them started on pursuing upper level course work, Ogburn-Russell said of the program.
Certified medical assistant is a new position in Scott & White clinics.
``We were looking at the job roles in the clinic and this role came up as being a valuable team member,'' Ms. Thwing said.
Though the students are the type who will likely stay in their community, this certification will travel with them if they want to move, said Gracie Connor, director of business and community education at Temple College.
About 100 people showed interest in the program when it was announced, Ms. Thwing said. About 50 attended the information session and 20 were accepted into the program.
Those accepted into the initial class range in age from early 20s to late 40s.
The certification does require continuing education.
Similar programs offered in Austin cost from $8,000 to $15,000. The TC program costs the student $2,000, with Scott & White offering tuition reimbursement when the course is completed.
